Toyota Motor Philippines starts shortened workweek

Toyota Motor Philippines yesterday began implementing a shortened workweek, according to one of its employees, due to a shortage of parts coming from Japan, which is still an offshoot of the March 11 natural disaster. A press statement is expected to be released within the week. According to our source, TMP's Makati-based marketing department now has a four-day workweek until June 4, while assembly-line workers based in Santa Rosa now have an even more contracted three-day workweek.

It should be noted that this will take effect for only a month, provided that Toyota's parts-supply chain in Japan goes back to normal. "There is no need for our customers to worry," said our source. "This is just to streamline our production processes for the time being. Our parts inventory is still okay."

We have yet to get word from other Japanese automakers in the country, but we won't be surprised in the least if the others follow suit.

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UPDATE: We also reported that Mitsubishi Motors Philippines has shortened its workweek according to a company executive, but this was denied by Arlan Reyes, Mitsubishi's assistant manager for advertising and promotions. Honda Cars Philippines has likewise said that it still maintains its regular work schedule, although production volume has been reduced to 50 percent for now. Honda assembles the Civic and the City in its Santa Rosa facility. Isuzu Philippines Corporation, for its part, has admitted that it now also has a shortened workweek until May 27.